A discreet knock at her chamber door told Flora 'twas time to join her husband for the wedding feast. Her old nurse cradled her cheeks and kissed her forehead as she had done countless times in the past. Then she dabbed away the tears in her eyes and blew her nose with a smile on her aged face.

A young maid waited for the signal to open the door. Slowly, she opened heavy wooden door and dropped a curtsey, as did all the women in the room.

Talon entered the candlelit room that smelled of the finest rose oil. "My Lord," Flora greeted from her curtsey. Rising up, she felt her breath catch on her throat.

His black boots were again polished to a high gloss; chausses of fine, dark blue linen were tucked into them. A tunic of blue was secured with a black belt. A sky-blue surcoat with the black Falcon rested over that. His dagger was nestled secure under his belt, and his sword hung by his side. His dark brown eyes matched perfectly his dark hair. His well-muscled frame filled the doorway.

A flutter of warmth began in Flora's stomach as she remembered the feel of the muscles that sculpted his back. The warmth spread upward into her heart. She found it hard to breathe properly. The heat moved farther up to stain her cheeks with a rosy blush. The warmth also spread downward, to a place that tingled with each passing thought and glimpse of this man.

He brought her fingers up to grace them with a kiss. Breathe, my desert rose. Breathe. The gentle reminder echoed in her thoughts.

"Shall we grace the Nest with our presence, my Lady-wife?"

"Ah... Aye, of course. 'Twould not do to make the King wait." Flora fought to regain her composure as her husband placed her hand into the crook of his arm and led her out.

Again, Talon found her pulse and breathing pattern match his.

As they entered the main hall, Flora realized that without trying, she had matched her steps to his. Her body was becoming attuned with his.

The crowd of nobles parted for them as they slowly made their way to the head table. Again, as was custom, the Lord's chair was occupied by the most senior rank in attendance. The King stood up as they approached and bowed to him.

"Lord and Lady Falcon, I bid ye rise and take thy place at table this night." With the graciousness that endeared him to his subjects, the King presented the Lord's chair to his newest Earl. "We are here to celebrate thy wedding, come take thy rightful place as leader of the Nest." With that, he took the seat next to Talon. "Ye realize, of course, a wedding is the *only* event for which I would ever give up the head seat," spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. Just to remind them.

At the King's signal, the feast began. This night saw a bounty larger than the night before. A page ran up to the King and sliced off a generous portion of bread to be used as a trencher for the first course. Talon was sliced an equally thick portion, which he was to share with his wife.

As the first course came out, Talon struggled with his emotions. It had taken all of his Jedi training to maintain his composure when the maid opened the door to reveal his bride.

Unbound, her hair floated like a cloud of purest white about her face. Small tendrils curled softly to frame her face. The light from the many candles reflected in her aqua-teal eyes. Her gown of finely spun silk was molded to her every lush curve. The gown's color was what nearly made Talon loose his composure. It was the very shade of sky blue as the veils the woman wore in his vision-song. Beyond doubt, this woman was to be his through eternity. Again, his heart and his senses confirmed what his vision-song had told him.

Flora knew the evening would be a very long ordeal. The feast turned out to be a true test of endurance for both of them. As the dinner progressed from one fine course to the next, the nobles seemingly lost their manners. As the night wore on the jokes became more and more raunchy, and even more lewd than the night before.

Flora lost her appetite and began to pick at her food. What tiny morsel she did bring to her lips, she had a difficult time swallowing. She kept her head bowed; her white mane covered her eternal blush that had painted itself upon her fair cheeks. A nervous flock of butterflies began to prick their tiny wings against her stomach. Thinking of the next social event of the evening, Flora began to tremble.

Sitting beside his Lady-wife, Talon could feel her unease roiling off her in waves. Below the table, he quietly took her trembling hand in his and gently caressed her knuckles with his thumb. He sent her a wave a comfort and reassurance. Their eyes met as she unknowingly responded to this. He whispered to her, "Do not be afraid of me, my Rose. I would never do anything to harm you in any way. Just bear with me for just a little while longer and I promise we'll finally be rid of this crowd."

Talon's face was set in stone as he sought to rid himself of his anger. He tried not to listen to the graphic suggestions coming from those noble knights who had so bravely fought to free the Nest from the Ghost Knight's mercenaries. He was surprised to hear some of the crudest remarks come from the noble women. In truth, he felt like pulling his lightsabre and challenging them, one and all, to defend his wife's honor. Instead, he found himself biting his tongue.

At long last, Flora's maid slipped up behind them. Talon could feel her heart beating wildly at what was to come next. He promised he would do all in his power to shield her from it.

Trying not to bring attention to herself, Flora slowly rose to follow her maid. She did not get more than a dozen steps before a loud roar rose to the rafters. Catcalls, whistles and more lewd comments chased after her as she set her face to stone and quickened her step to the stairs. She nearly ran down the hallway to escape. Flora winced as the heavy wooden door to the master's chamber slammed shut behind her. At last, she was alone for a few minutes while her maid went to bring some of the residing noble women to assist her.

Stumbling to the small writing desk near the fireplace, she fell to her knees and tried not to cry. She prayed to the Great Spirit to give her strength to endure as she eyed the white silk sheet draped over the mattress of the large bed that loomed before her.

Below, Talon debated whether or not it would be better for Flora if he were to stall for more time. He was familiar with the idea of the bedding ceremony and had absolutely no stomach for what was essentially a publicly witnessed rape of a virgin bride.

In many societies, the bride was stripped bare in front of her husband and other male witnesses to be "inspected" for any markings or deformities. Any birthmark or blemish could, at this point, be used by the groom to reject the woman. He could keep the dowry, but the woman would be publicly disgraced for having been rejected through no fault of her own.

In reality, this was nothing more than the opportunity for a lot of drunken men to ogle, and in some cultures, fondle a very frightened young woman who may be no more than a child. Add to this the fact that the men would stay to watch the arranged marriage consummated and it was little wonder the bride would forever remain a terrified block of ice in bed. The entire concept nearly made Talon lose his dinner. By the Force, he swore, he *would not* allow this public humiliation to occur.

Before he could decide if stalling would help any the matter was taken out of his hands. The King rose up and shouted, "Come, we have a bedding to witness!" He clapped Talon hard on the shoulder and signaled to those around him. Several pairs of strong hands took hold of Talon and carried him up the steep, narrow stairs. Thrice the drunken revelers nearly dropped him. It was only his connection to the Force that allowed him to feel the slip about to happen and shift his weight accordingly to counter.

The door to his chamber bounced back from the wall as the men entered and "accidentally" dropped him at his wife's feet.

As he picked himself up her eyes locked with his. She could see the anger burning there. A slight nod from him brought her some tiny measure of comfort. She now understood that he disliked this as much as she did. She thanked the Great Spirit for allowing her a husband who seemed to be so understanding of her fears this night.

As his heart-mate was shoved forward by an older noble-bred "Lady," Talon could feel a darkness flood the room. The intensity of it made him shiver. He turned to look well at each man behind him. The look burning in their eyes confirmed what he felt. Lust emanated from the crowd. Many were just plain drunk, but several looked at his wife with undisguised lust. Because of the varying levels of midi-chlorians from one individual to the next, it was impossible for him to judge who was potentially the biggest threat at the moment.

"Come on! Take it off! Take it off!" Sir Paul began the cheer as he leered at the Lady Falcon.

As the women who came to attend her stepped forward to disrobe her, silent tears of fear and humiliation slipped down Flora's pale cheeks.

Taking a step closer, Talon spun on his heel to glare at the leering crowd.

Again, Paul's voice rang over the cheering, "Look, he can not wait for the package to be unwrapped! He wants to do it himself!" More catcalls and laughter filled the room as Flora's face became even paler than before.

Talon took his place in front of his wife to shield her from the many prying eyes. Taking her small hand in his, he could feel her trembling and her pulse race. Raising his free hand and waving toward the lecherous assembly he spoke in a soft voice. "You have seen what you came for. You are satisfied with what you have seen. There is no reason to stay. You will leave us."

"Come, we are satisfied with what we have seen," the King announced. "Let us leave the happy couple to get to know each other better."

Several others echoed the King's sentiment and turned to leave. The rest of the crowd followed the King's move.

As the last person exited the chamber Talon angrily threw the iron rod across the door to bar the entrance and at last give them peace.

Leaning his back against the door, Talon drew several deep breaths as he looked at his wife from beneath lowered lashes. "You have nothing to fear, my dear wife. I can assure you we will not be disturbed until tomorrow." He noted her eyes were still wide with fear and slowly stepped closer. "Flora?... Look at me," he requested softly.

After unconsciously accepting another wave of reassurance, Flora raised her eyes to his. She took note of the worried crease in his forehead and the deep concern in his dark eyes.

He raised one hand to her chin and lightly caressed her bottom lip with his thumb. "You look like you have a question on your lips... Do you?"

Slowly she nodded.

"You may ask me any question, my Lady-wife, and I shall always answer true," he reminded her. "You may ask anything of me and I shall grant it... Now tell me what you wish to know," he smiled.

Flora hesitated and bit her lower lip. With a questioning glance at the door and back to her husband, she found her voice. "What happened? How didst thou do that -- my Lord? How didst thou get them all to leave us alone?"

Talon shrugged his shoulders, "It's a small trick I learned a very long time ago."

"So Garret is right? Thou are a sorcerer," she said in a small voice.

He shook his head, "No, my dear, I can assure you, I am *not* a sorcerer. Although, there are many who would claim so, those of my Order are not sorcerers. I am but a man as any other." A thought came quickly to mind as he looked down at her hand in his. "Right now, I'm a man who would very much like to finally get to know more about his wife.

"Perhaps we should make ourselves more comfortable," he gestured to the padded chairs set by the fireplace.

Turning to be seated, they both took a look around the chamber. All of Flora's furnishings, except her own bed, had been moved into the room. His chamber was now hers as well.

Still sensing Flora's unease, he slowly walked over to the window and opened it. He breathed in deeply the smell of the sea. The crash of the gentle surf as it broke upon the cliffs far below sounded as music in his ears.

The night was clear; there were no clouds to obscure his view of the skies. Smiling gently, he turned to, "Come here and see how beautiful the moon is tonight, Flora." He held out his hand to her as she slowly came forward, still wary of this man she was now tied to.

Stepping aside to let her slip in front of him, Talon smelled the rose oil still lingering on her skin. He stood slightly off to her side so as not to frighten her any more than she already was.

Flora turned her gaze toward the faint swath of white reaching from horizon to horizon. "I have always marveled at the Milky Way," she said softly. "There are some nights when it glows so brightly. And the stars themselves; I have always wondered if there is anything beyond the stars."

Talon carefully put his hands on her shoulders and spoke softly. "There's a whole galaxy out there. The Universe is such a huge place. Anything we can imagine is out there...somewhere." Slowly, he began massaging the tension out of her shoulders.

"Do you see the moon?" he asked. Flora nodded feeling the tension from the evening's events slowly recede from her. "In the land of my people, a crescent moon with three stars beside it is considered to be a great omen. It's thought to of be good fortune to marry under such an occurrence. Such a celestial event is exceedingly rare, indeed. It's believed that the gods bless lovers who meet and marry under such a moon."

A wave of warmth slid through her. Flora felt her tension melt away under his magic touch as she leaned back against him. "I have naught heard tell of any such a thing, my Lord... But, tis very beautiful."

A slight tremble rippled through her as she felt his lips press against her temple. "No where near as beautiful as you, my rare, desert flower." A wave washed over her and through her as a fluttering of butterflies stirred within her. The flock of butterflies started in her breast, moved into her stomach and migrated farther south to settle briefly under her skirts. Then they migrated back north to take refuge in her heart.

Talon Force-felt this sensation washing through her and marveled at it. "Have you ever been kissed, Flora?" he inquired softly.

Her breath caught in her throat as again, he pressed his warm lips to her hair. Slowly she answered, "Nay...I know naught of kissing. But, I have heard tell it could be very pleasing...with the right man."

"Or woman." He turned her around to face him. Flora's aqua-teal eyes were dark with something she was not fully aware of, even though deep down on a primal level her body understood. Her heart beat in time with his, so too, did her breathing matched his.

Flora saw a darkness in his deep brown eyes, but was not afraid of that strange, new feeling she could not name. Anticipation flooded through her as her eyes wandered down to his full lips. Lips she thought were very beautiful for a man. Sensual, the thought came to mind. Never before did she understand the meaning of the word, but now she understood. Deep down, on an unconscious level, her body began to yearn for something. His voice brought her wandering mind back to the present.

"Would you permit me to teach you the art of kissing, my Lady-wife?" Slowly, she nodded. He smiled and led her to the bed. As they both sat at the foot, he cupped her chin in his fingers and slowly brought his lips to hers. "There are many different kinds and types of kisses, my rose. Each must be learned well if you are to enjoy it to its fullest."

With a feather-light touch he brushed his lips over hers. A spark of excitement burst through them. Through the night, Talon slowly introduced his heart-mate to the fine art of kissing, making certain she learned well one lesson before moving on to the next.

As the night slowly gave way to the early dawn, Talon gently stroked Flora's bare back as she lay draped across his chest. Her head was placed over his heart as one leg lay nestled over his hips. He marveled how perfectly their bodies fit together.

He slid her sea-foam hair through his fingers and found it much like the finest spun silk found anywhere in the Republic. Her skin was as soft as a cloud.

It had been a long night, but it was well worth it. His skittish bride, it seemed, was a fast learner and found she very much enjoyed his lessons. But, most importantly, she was starting to feel more comfortable with him. In his soul a new melody was quietly beginning as he felt his heart stir with her by his side. He was falling in love with this courageous woman who stood atop the battlements to help give covering fire to those who had come to aid the Falcon's Nest.

He feigned sleep as he felt her gradually waking up from a deep slumber. She was tired from the recent events of loosing her brother, her home being threatened by a renegade, and suddenly finding herself married to a man she knew nothing about. That, he determined, would be remedied within the coming days as he made certain to know more about this woman Fate had gifted him and his heart with.

Waking with a jerk, Flora nervously glanced around the chamber. This was her brother's chamber and before that, it belonged to her parents. Bringing the bedclothes over her with both hands she looked down at the man asleep beside her. She found she was well pleased with this man and thanked the Great Spirit for being so kind to her.

This man, no, she corrected herself, her husband, it seemed, was a kind and gentle man. He did not force himself upon her as so often happened when a man found a woman he wished to bed. Indeed, he somehow got everyone, even the King, to leave before the bedding ceremony could truly start. The thought of that humiliation shook her to the very core.

She drifted her eyes over him, inspecting him, studying him. Her gaze traced his face. The straight nose and high brow indicated a great intelligence. The strong chin spoke of noble blood. The dimples that hid until he smiled took her breath away. But, then, so too did his kisses. His muscles, well defined, showed great strength. The memory of his arms around her as he laid her across the bed reminded her of the gentleness he was capable of. She pushed aside a lock of dark brown hair that had fallen across his forehead. She smiled. She found him pleasing.

She realized she knew nothing more than his name. She resolved to remedy that over the next few days as she helped him come to know the people of Falcon's Nest by the Sea. She knew he would be a good Lord over her people and the Nest.

As a yawn escaped her, her husband stirred. "Good morn, my Lord-husband."

Stretching, he looked at her under half-closed lids and smiled, giving her a glance of the dimples she liked. "Good morning. I hope you slept well?" he asked rising into a sitting position and pulling the covers closer around him.

A blush brought out the roses in her cheeks. "Aye, my Lord, I did."

"Good," he clasped her fingers and brought her hand up to place a kiss on the inside of her wrist. Her breath snagged in her throat as his tongue swept across the pulse point hidden there. "I apologize for keeping you up so late and depriving you of sleep, my wife."

"Nay. 'Twas not all thy doing this night past, my Lord. I had much to learn from thee." She lowered her head to study the silk sheet wrapped around them as her blush deepened. "I hope thou find'st I learnt thy lessons well, my Lord-husband," she said in a small voice. A part of her was afraid he was not pleased with her and would cast her aside to find another to warm his bed at night.

"Yes, you did please me." He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "I don't see how you could ever not. Fate has decreed that you be my chosen wife. I will never allow anyone or anything to harm you... I swear as a Jedi Knight. Please believe me."

She looked deep into his eyes and into herself before answering. "I do believe thee, my Lord. I do." In her heart, she found she did. Her hand stroked the side of his face as she promised, "And I make the same promise to thee. I will never allow anyone or anything to harm thee."

With a kiss, they sealed the promise their hearts made to each other.

"Is there aught I may get thee, or do for thee, my Lord?" she asked they broke the kiss.

"There is one thing..."

"Aye?"

"You can start calling me by my name," he suggested. "After last night, I think it's safe to say we can be on a first name basis with each other."

She slowly nodded an agreement as a blush crept up her cheeks, "Ah...aye, I would think thou are correct, husba -- Talon."

"That's better -- Flora." He embraced her and fell back against the pillows for some more quiet time together.

After a while, a rowdy clamor echoed through the Keep. As the ruckus came closer, Talon frowned and sat up. A curse in an unfamiliar tongue escaped his lips. I should have sensed them long before now!

"What is wrong?"

"Sounds like the wedding guests don't know when to leave well enough alone."

"Oh no. Oh no!" Flora cried.

"What's wrong?"

She began to panic. "They come for the sheet! They come for the bloodied sheet to prove that we are now truly husband and wife! There is no blood!"

Reaching out to calm her, Talon tried to reassure her. "We still have a little time before they start knocking, Flora. All will be well." A look of panic and pain glowed in her eyes. "Trust me, Flora. If it's blood they wish to see, then that's what they will see. Now get up and cover yourself, quickly!"

Before Flora could jump for her dressing robe, Talon had his dagger in hand. Tying the sash about her, she questioned him with her eyes. "Did I not vow to 'protect my family and heirs' with this dagger?" With a quick stroke, he cut deeply into his arm and allowed his blood to drip onto the white, silk sheet that had been blessed to grant them many children.

With a small squeal, Flora grabbed a small cloth and rushed to his side to stanch the bleeding. As she grabbed his arm, she watched in amazement as the gash closed and healed itself.

"Don't be concerned about such a small cut, Flora. It'll take *a lot* more than this to cause me worry," he smiled at her from under hooded lids. "I heal very fast," he shrugged.

After smudging the bloodstain with his fingers, Talon cleaned off his fingers with the cloth and thanked her for it. Flora had the presence of mind to stuff the cloth into a trunk, out of sight.

"GOOD MORROW TO YE INSIDE!" A fierce pounding on the door rattled the iron bar that kept the intruders at bay. Sir Branyon shouted as loudly as he could to make certain the newlyweds were awake for their assault. "Open up! I have come to see how my cousin fares, Lord Falcon! Hand over the sheet so that all of the Nest may witness this marriage is true!" Again the heavy pounding rattled the door.

Taking a few deep breaths to center himself, Talon replied, "If we surrender the sheet will you leave us in peace?"

"Aye, we will leave you lovebirds in peace to create an heir for the Nest," the King's voice sounded over the din.

Talon ripped the silk sheet off the bed and wadded it up. With a reassuring glance to his Lady-wife, he unbarred the door and tossed the bundle out, not caring in whose face it hit. Moving faster than anyone to follow, he threw the bar back into place. All this took less than the time to blink. "You have what you came for, now go away!" Noticing Flora's disheveled appearance he turned back to the heavy wooden door. "And send up some food and drink."

Turning away from the intruders, Talon embraced his wife and tried to shield her ears from the comments outside. The men in the hallway began again with the lewd remarks as their voices faded away. Sir Paul's voice was loudest and raunchiest of all.

"I'm sorry you had to hear all that, my Rose. Perhaps something to eat will put us both in a better mood."

A short time later, a timid knock at the door brought them back to reality as they enjoyed the feel of their embrace. Moving to the door, Talon secured his brown robe about him. Quickly and silently, several young pages came in to place trays loaded with a small feast and a couple of jugs of wine to warm by the low fire. Flora stood facing the open window as she watched the seabirds aloft in the distance. As the lads finished, Garret ushered then out the door. Casting a quick glance at his Lady, he then gave his Lord a quick wink and a cheeky grin as he left. At last the bar was slid into place again and they were left alone in peace.

"My Lady-wife, Flora, will you do me the honor of joining me for breakfast?"

As they enjoyed their light repast, Talon asked more questions about his role as Lord of Falcon's Nest. Flora enthusiastically informed him of his new role as protector and guardian. She told him of the monthly court he would sit upon as judge to hear complaints and squabbles brought before him to settle. She described the repairs that needed to be made to several buildings. By the end of breakfast, they had agreed, Flora would not be silent in his stewardship, but rather an equal partner and would be free to offer her advice in any matter.

Planning a more leisurely tour of the demesne, they dress for an outing. Both pull on chausses and tuck them into their boots. A long sleeved shirt was tucked into the chausses. Over this, a short tunic for the men, and a long one, falling to the knees, for the women. Each tucked their personal dagger into their belts, and Talon secured his new sword.

Seated before a mirror, Flora began braiding her long mane. She jumped slightly as she felt another set of hands complete the task for her. She saw a smile of contentment on her husband's face as her white silk flowed easily through his deft fingers.

"Finished."

"Thank you -- Talon. But thou need not act as a Lady's maid, 'tis not a job for the Lord of the Keep."

"I don't mind. Besides, I enjoy it. Would you deny your husband's happiness by depriving him of such a simple task?" An exaggerated frown told her he was teasing her, and despite herself, she found herself chuckling.

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TBC...